Vantage Robotics' new Snap 4K camera quadcopter is up for preorder

Vantage Robotics has a new 4K camera quadcopter called Snap, and it's now up for pre-order. The company calls this a 'flying camera', one that is compact enough to fit in a backpack and safe enough to grab out of the air with a bare hand.

Snap is a lightweight quadcopter with a 4K camera that snaps into place between the propellers, hence the name. The device weighs 500 grams (approx. 18 ounces) overall, and has a 20 minute flight time per charge. The camera features gimbal stabilization for smooth footage; motor controllers are also integrated to keep the drone steady in windy conditions. Features include a Sony Exmor IMX 377 1/2.3" camera sensor, 82-degree FOV fixed focus lens, single shot and time lapse still image modes (12MP), and support for a microSD card with up to a 64GB capacity.

Three video recording modes are offered: 720p HD (30/60/120/240 fps), 1080p FHD (30/60/120 fps), and 4096 x 2160 30p DCI 4K. Operators control the quadcopter via an Android or iOS smartphone and the SmartTilt app; a DSM or Bluetooth controller can also be used. Various tracking modes are offered through the app, including free-follow, geo-fencing, virtual wire, and air tripod. In addition, Snap offers an 'out and back' orbit flight mode.

Snap is currently available for pre-order at a discounted rate of $895 with a full retail price of $1,295. The flying camera comes with a battery, charger, and carrying case, and will begin shipping in Spring 2016.

Really interesting design, it makes the Phantom 3 looks antique.Love the fact that is harder to break when crashing which is a harsh reality with drones and the portability makes them discreet when deploying.Also like the fact that the camera is 24mm eqv which produces more natural perspective than the 20mm eqv of Phantom 3. Less distortion.The image sensor is the same as the P3 so if the Snap manage to match the P3 in stability then this is a winner.It has no landing legs so Camera can get dirty fast if landing on other than hand but seems a good compromise for less weight and air drag.However a serious issue here is the timing to market. Spring 2016 looks so far and I wonder what DJI and others would have on the market by then.

The problem with all these new lightweight drones is just that, their weight. The lighter they are, the more they are buffeted by winds. Products such as this will not do well in windy cities like San Francisco or Chicago except on the calmest of days. I'm sure there's a market for these simple-to-fly drones and I have nothing against that. I just hope buyers will understand the limitations of their new buy.

If is too windy you wouldn't be flying any drone.Vantage Robotics could make an optional larger/heavier battery if weight is needed.I can also argue that the Snap's slim profile (no landing gear) makes it less susceptible to winds.

I respectfully disagree. I've flown my older Phantom 2 in very windy conditions by the sea and it can hold on very well. A big drain to battery for sure, but the footage looks absolutely rock steady. Sometimes a job requires the shot and you can't wait for the wind to die down. A sturdier (heavier) drone can handle stronger winds. It's just how weight works. Just out of curiosity, which drone do you own?

I also do not think that the landing gear of the Phantom plays any significant role in aerodynamics. The legs are so thin! But don't take my word for it, I've asked my peers who are into aerial video and they do not think the legs affect wind resistance much.

Lastly, I absolutely do not agree with the sentiment behind "crashing a drone is a WHEN." Yes, these things can fall, but so can real airplanes and we don't argue that it's unsafe to travel by air. If crashing a drone is a serious concern, then why have all the major news stations taken to gather news over the air? Drone crash rates are extremely low when handled by those with experience. Look at all the hexacopter and octocopters on the market. Is it because drones are inherently dangerous? Absolutely not. The heavier they are, they harder it is for them to crash because they have all those motors to hold them up. Calibrated correctly and supplied with enough power, they can come come back down one or even two rotors. Anything not correctly calibrated can crash, including our cars, but we don't avoid driving, do we?

dash2k8, please let me know if you could find an insurance that covers Drones.The Drone websites are full of crashing stories.Phantom legs have open cavities that gather wind force just like a parachute.The Phantom manual clearly state not fly under winds faster than 22mph.

As someone who is on the verge of buying a multi-rotor photgraphic platform, I am torn between the "does everything automatically with extra safety features" of items like this, and the raw "flying beheading machine" variety.

As I probably want to keep my fingers on my hands, this model has its attractions. But ultimately, I think I want to take (at least) a micro-4/3rds camera up to several thousand feet, grab some serious areal stills, and then get it back in once piece.

Even though this is a lightweight copter, it can still fall under very strict drone regulations already in effect, or "soon to be".

If you abide by the regulations you won't be able to fly it for commercial use unless you have a license, - yes, if you sell the videos for real estate then you need a license. And it is, like I say strict, with large penalties if you don't fly it properly. There are all kinds of restrictions.

The point I want to make is that you may want to purchase a drone, but you will find that it could be almost be useless to have because you are not allowed to fly it the way you dream of. Not like the freedom of a kite.

From the sounds of the regulations I've seen, they will almost be outlawed.You would have to do your homework on it before thinking of investing in one.The laws haven't caught up to the technology yet, so there may be some room to have fun with drones in the meantime.

I disagree - there is plenty of legal fun to be had flying quadcopters & whilst some idiots do their best to spoil it for the rest of us, it's worth bearing in mind that RC flying machines have been around a long time & I'm sure this will continue...

Yes, you can control the quad with a DSM controller, we also use the common Mavlink protocol so you can pre-program flight patterns using something like QGround control.

While it is a small quad at only 1 lb, we still packed the best technology into it. 4k camera, Sony sensor, gimbal. High-composite alloy to protect the blades and a proprietary maglink system to make crashes graceful.

@VR, let me begin by saying I have nothing bad to say about your product, but as an owner of multiple class drones (little toy drones for my kids to hexacopters), I cannot fully agree with your overly vague opinion of your product. "Equal to the Phantom 3" is not close to the truth. The P3 has a much bigger sensor camera, has greater torque, is heavier and thus more wind-resistant, can fly nav points...

I agree that it is more portable by far and much safer for sure, but I'd also appreciate an honest assessment, not marketing speak. Your product is not a direct competitor to the P3 and that's no problem. Diff product for diff people, but definitely not remotely similar or "equal."

Wrong, the Snap uses the same 1/2.3" Sony sensor as the P3.Also the a 24mm lens gives you more reach and less distortion than the P3 but it might be at the cost of shake blur. So that needs yet to be compared.The P3 is better at operating range but that can be offset by using Waypoints which I believe the Snap will do too.The Snap has a flatter profile (no landing gear) so it should help when windy.From the Specs though the Snap looks very competitive against the P3.

I stand corrected on the sensor! But I still do not believe that the lightweight is a minus against winds. Unless this thing's propellers are much bigger and more powerful than a Phantom, there's just no physical way it can hold its position against the wind. But I do appreciate you pointing out the sensor size.

The footage looks awful - much worse than a go pro from the sample on tech crunch. It has to be at least 1" sensor or nothing because these tiny sensors just can't handle the dynamic range required for outdoor filming. It's a pretty neat package apart from that, though. Maybe they could stick the sensor from the rx100mk3 in a "pro" version.

We agree actually! All footage shown to date has been taken with a rather mediocre hd dashcam that we used as a placeholder until we completed our 4k camera. We just starting to get good images from the 4k camera and it is a world of difference. We can't wait to share this when it is ready!

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